Rate it!

0 votes

Celtic (2) v Hearts (9)

Celtic defender John Kennedy returns from an ankle injury after missing out last Sunday when the champions beat Aberdeen 3-1 at Pittodrie. Striker Kenny Miller, who started for Scotland against South Africa at Pittodrie during the week, is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Hearts trio Roman Bednar, Bruno Aguiar and Mauricio Pinilla remain sidelined through injury. The Tynecastle outfit are keeping under wraps the identities of several other players who are battling to be fit. Neil McCann and Calum Elliot are fit to return to the squad after injury.

Last season: Celtic 1 Hearts 3, Hearts 1 Celtic 2, Celtic 2 Hearts 1, Hearts 2 Celtic 1

Last five league matches: Celtic W L D W W; Hearts W L L D D

Top scorers: Kenny Miller (Celtic) 3; Michael Stewart, Ricardas Beniusis, Andrew Driver & Andrius Ksanavicius (Hearts) 1

Referee: I Brines (Scotland)

Falkirk (8) v St Mirren (7)

Falkirk manager John Hughes hopes to welcome back experienced defender Dean Holden, who has recovered from an ankle injury. Striker Carl Finnigan could make his first start of the season after being hampered by a hamstring strain. Austria frontman Roman Wallner is struggling with a neck problem.

Argentinian Franco Miranda should keep his place after an impressive debut against Inverness. St Mirren remain without striker Craig Dargo and defenders Eddie Malone and Ian Maxwell (all knee) and midfielder Craig Molloy (broken metatarsal).

Last season: Falkirk 0 St Mirren 2, Falkirk 2 St Mirren 0, St Mirren 1 Falkirk 0, Falkirk 1 St Mirren 1

Last five league matches: Falkirk W W W L L; St Mirren W L L L W

Top scorers: Michael Higdon (Falkirk) 3; Franco Miranda & Mark Corcoran (St Mirren) 1

Referee: C MacKay (Scotland)

Gretna (11) v Motherwell (5)

Gretna are again without long-term knee injury victims Ryan McGuffie and Martin Canning. Striker James Grady is starting out on the road to recovery after undergoing a hernia operation last week. French defender Aurelien Collin is set to stay in the team after helping Gretna draw at Hearts last weekend on his debut.

Motherwell midfielder Simon Mensing is suspended after being sent off in a midweek reserve game against Kilmarnock. Defender Brian McLean has recovered from the knock he took in the reserve game, but is only likely to be on the bench.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Gretna D W L L D; Motherwell L D W W L

Top scorers: Fabian Yantorno, Colin McMenamin & Craig Barr (Gretna) 1; David Clarkson, Steve McGarry, Ross McCormack & Phil O'Donnell (Motherwell) 1

Referee: C Allan (Scotland)

Hibernian (3) v Aberdeen (10)

Hibernian expect Kevin McCann to recover from the ankle injury which forced him to pull out of the Scotland Under-21 squad in midweek. Dean Shiels should join him in the squad following a recent foot injury.

Aberdeen are set to include Andrew Considine and Jamie Smith, who have both returned to training after feeling unwell, while Zander Diamond should be fit despite suffering a leg injury against Celtic last week. Jeffrey de Visscher (groin), Lee Mair (knee) and Richie Byrne (hamstring) are all still out. Veteran striker Craig Brewster could play, despite holding talks about the managerial vacancy at Inverness.

Last season: Aberdeen 2 Hibernian 2, Hibernian 0 Aberdeen 0, Aberdeen 2 Hibernian 1, Hibernian 1 Aberdeen 1

Last five league matches: Hibernian L W W W D; Aberdeen L W L D L

Top scorers: Merouane Zemmama (Hibernian) 2; Barry Nicholson & Craig Brewster (Aberdeen) 1

Referee: B Winter (Scotland)

Inverness CT (12) v Dundee Utd (6)

Defender Richard Hastings is a doubt for Inverness as the left-back missed Canada's 1-1 draw in Iceland on Wednesday with a muscle strain. Markus Paatelainen will remain on the sidelines with an Achilles injury.

Dundee United midfielder David Robertson is a doubt with a stomach muscle injury and has been given a 25% chance of recovering in time to play. Midfielder Willo Flood (groin) is more likely to be involved, but Craig Conway (foot) and Steven Robb (calf) miss out.

Last season: Dundee Utd 1 Inverness CT 1, Inverness CT 1 Dundee Utd 0, Dundee Utd 3 Inverness CT 1, Inverness CT 0 Dundee Utd 0

Last five league matches: Inverness CT W W L L L; Dundee Utd L D W L D

Top scorers: Ross Tokely & Don Cowie (Inverness CT) 1; Noel Hunt & David Robertson (Dundee Utd) 1

Referee: J Underhill (Scotland)

Kilmarnock (4) v Rangers (1)

Kilmarnock defender Garry Hay could return after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Craig Bryson (knee), James Fowler (ankle) and Eric Skora (knee) will be absent. Striker Ryan Jarvis may make his debut after arriving on loan from Norwich.

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor has recovered from the ankle injury which forced him to withdraw from the Scotland squad. Lee McCulloch has also been passed fit after complaining of feeling unwell during last week's game against Falkirk. Long-term casualties Steven Smith, Ugo Ehiogu and Thomas Buffel remain on the sidelines.

Last season: Rangers 0 Kilmarnock 1, Kilmarnock 1 Rangers 3, Rangers 3 Kilmarnock 0, Kilmarnock 2 Rangers 2

Last five league matches: Kilmarnock W W D W W; Rangers L L W W W

Top scorers: Rhian Dodds, Colin Nish, William Gibson & David Lilley (Kilmarnock) 1; Barry Ferguson & Daniel Cousin (Rangers) 3

Referee: D McDonald (Scotland)

SportingLife / Eurosport